Tree Management Toolkit

Introduction

Trees are a crucial element of the natural environment. They also provide a range of social and economic benefits, contributing to quality of life.

Housing providers are significant land owners and are responsible for a considerable amount of tree stock. Trees are an important consideration of on-going estate management, new developments and stock transfer.

Effective tree management depends on taking an informed strategic approach which recognises the asset value of trees in the housing landscape.

This web based toolkit is intended to provide advice and information to support registered housing providers to develop their tree strategies.

A wide range of information already exists on trees; this resource will provide signposts and links to this information where appropriate.

This toolkit recognises that it cannot reproduce or replace the skills and experience of trained and experienced tree professionals. It provides information on what those skills might be, when they should be used and where they can be found.

This is the starting point which provides a framework for effective tree management. This section explains the role of a tree strategy and outlines the suggested content. The eight actions listed below will inform aspects of your tree strategy:

This section outlines housing providers' legal responsibilities under Statute and Common Law. It provides links to requirements from the Health & Safety Executive and guidance on Tree Preservation Orders.

This section summarises the benefits of trees to support housing providers to make the case for investment in their tree resource. It identifies valuation tools that can be used to help to quantify benefits and links to appropriate information and case studies.

Neighbourhoods Green is a national partnership supported by Design Council Cabe, Groundwork, the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the Landscape Institute, the National Housing Federation, Natural England, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts.